Geared Power BioTech founder named EY New Jersey finalist as BioGuard UVC gains attention

By AI, Created 9:49 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Geared Power BioTech said founder and CEO Gary Kellstrom, Jr. has been named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 New Jersey Award. The recognition comes as the Wayne-based company prepares to present BioGuard UVC at BioNJ’s conference on May 12 and pushes toward FDA market clearance.

Why it matters: - The EY finalist nod gives Geared Power BioTech added visibility with investors, partners and potential customers as the company moves toward commercialization. - BioGuard UVC is aimed at respiratory infection control in healthcare settings, where pathogen reduction can affect patient and worker safety. - The company says the recognition is already increasing awareness as it works toward FDA market clearance.

What happened: - Geared Power BioTech announced that founder and CEO Gary Kellstrom, Jr. was named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 New Jersey Award. - Kellstrom will present BioGuard UVC at BioNJ’s BioPartnering Conference on May 12 at Liberty Science Center. - EY will announce the New Jersey winners on June 4.

The details: - Geared Power BioTech is based in Wayne, New Jersey. - BioGuard UVC is a wearable, filter-less pathogen-inactivation device. - The device uses patented helical UV chambers to deliver 254 nm germicidal UVC. - The system is designed to render airborne pathogens in exhaled breath nonviable before they reach other people. - Geared Power BioTech says BioGuard UVC was developed during COVID-19 PPE shortages. - The device is intended as a single-patient reusable product for hospitals, emergency care and long-term care settings. - BioGuard UVC has already won the inaugural “Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey” award. - The device also received the “Leader in Life Sciences” title at the 2025 New Jersey Manufacturing Awards. - BioGuard UVC gained bipartisan congressional support in the 2026 Appropriations bills enacted into law in February. - The FDA accepted BioGuard UVC into its Safer Technologies Program earlier this month. - The company’s announcement links to more information about the program. - Geared Power BioTech also directs readers to its website and its LinkedIn showcase page.

Between the lines: - The finalist recognition places Geared Power BioTech alongside established New Jersey business leaders and signals that the company’s regulatory and market-readiness story is gaining traction. - The cluster of awards, government support and FDA program acceptance suggests the company is building momentum on both the commercial and policy fronts. - Kellstrom’s comments frame the BioNJ conference appearance as a chance to turn that momentum into partnerships and financing interest.

What’s next: - Kellstrom is scheduled to present BioGuard UVC at BioNJ’s BioPartnering Conference on May 12. - EY’s New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year winners will be announced on June 4. - Geared Power BioTech says it is advancing toward FDA market clearance and full commercialization of BioGuard UVC. - The company expects to use the conference and the EY recognition to expand awareness with investors and industry leaders.

The bottom line: - Geared Power BioTech is pairing a finalist spot in a major business award with a growing list of validations for BioGuard UVC as it tries to move the device from development into the market.